Importing a car from China to Ghana: full landed-cost guide 2026

Ghana vehicle imports: used-vehicle pre-shipment inspection suspended

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) suspended pre-shipment inspection (PVoC) of imported used vehicles in notice GSA/DGS/PN/26/11, dated 5 October 2026. A new implementation date will be communicated later.

Policy checked: 16 October 2026. No later GSA notice announcing a restart was identified in this review. The earlier statement that every used car must obtain a GSA CoC before shipment from 1 October should not be relied on as a current requirement.

Read the official GSA suspension notice (PDF, 5 October 2026).

What the suspension does — and does not — cover

The notice concerns pre-shipment inspection of imported used vehicles. It does not expressly cancel the other requirements described in the earlier notice GSA/DGS/PN/26/09 of 14 August 2026. Do not read the suspension as a blanket exemption from vehicle eligibility, new-model approval, importer registration or customs requirements.

The earlier framework listed the following restrictions for used vehicles:

• Flood or water damage; fire damage; damage to the chassis or safety cage; vehicles assembled from spare parts.
• No speedometer reading in kilometres per hour (km/h).
• Vehicles over fifteen (15) years old.

That framework also described GSA model homologation for new vehicles and registration of importers, distributors and dealers with the GSA Vehicle Homologation Unit. New-vehicle approval and importer registration are outside the express scope of the used-vehicle PVoC suspension; the notice does not provide updated implementation details for these provisions. Confirm the current requirements with the GSA for the specific vehicle and shipment before committing. A vehicle's age or Chinese origin alone does not establish its condition or eligibility.

The GSA maintains a public register of homologated models. Check the exact model and variant with the GSA; a listing is not, by itself, a clearance guarantee for an individual vehicle.

Indicative landed costs

The examples below are petrol SUVs in the 1000–3000cc band. Their figures are calculated live by the same rules engine as this site's calculator. The PVoC policy update does not change the tax calculation used for these examples.

The estimated landed charges are 39–40% of CIF, or 107–114% on top of the ex-works price, under the assumptions used by the calculator. Taxes, valuation, freight, local charges and any vehicle-specific fees must be checked for the actual shipment. These figures are estimates, not a binding DDP delivery offer or customs assessment.

Buying through LandedCar

LandedCar provides the platform for vehicle information and transaction coordination. The seller or exporter, delivery term and responsibilities for documents, freight, insurance, inspection and import clearance must be specified in the quotation and pro forma invoice (PI). The platform does not automatically undertake export clearance, loading or destination clearance.

Ask the seller or exporter to confirm the documents available for the specific vehicle, and ask your Ghanaian importer or clearing agent to check the current GSA and customs requirements. During the PVoC suspension, do not assume that the previously announced pre-shipment CoC procedure must be booked or included as a mandatory service in every contract.

Before placing an order

1. Confirm the vehicle's age, condition, specification and exact model or variant with the seller.
2. Confirm the current import eligibility, registration, model approval and documentation route with the GSA and your clearing agent, taking the 5 October PVoC suspension into account.
3. Record the agreed delivery term, responsible seller or exporter, documents, costs and deadlines in the quotation or PI. Recheck policy before shipment if the implementation date changes.

GSA Vehicle Homologation Unit (GSA Auto Unit): auto@gsa.gov.gh · 030 398 0177

Policy source: GSA/DGS/PN/26/11 (5 October 2026); earlier framework: GSA/DGS/PN/26/09 (14 August 2026). Policy review date: 16 October 2026. This update concerns PVoC status, not a new verification of the site's tax rates. Duty and levy references retain their previous review date of 2 September 2026. Rules and costs may change; GSA requirements and the actual customs assessment prevail.